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Indiana Breweries, Wineries, & Distillieries Making an impact in Indiana story by STEPHANIE NICOL
Indiana’s wine history dates back to the early 1800s. In fact, Indiana is credited with being the birthplace of the American wine industry because it was the site of the first successful winery established in the United States. The winery, located in the small town of Vevay along the Ohio River, was founded by Swiss immigrant Jean Jacques Dufour, also known as John James. Our brewing history started shortly after, with the first brewing operations opening in 1816 in New Harmony and Richmond. The industry continued to grow, and in 1864 Indianapolis had 57 saloons that served its population of 20,000. The distilling business joined in during the mid-1800s. Today, Indiana has more than 200
Bad Dad Brewery in Fairmount has become a destination known for their craft beers and wood-fired pizzas. PHOTO: Bad Dad Brewery
wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries. The industry is booming, and when you combine it with nearly 12,000 restaurants throughout the state, it accounts for a significant amount of revenue from travelers. According to Amy Howell, Director of Tourism, Marketing, and
The South Shore Winery Trail features eight stops where you can sample wines, meads, and ciders. PHOTO: South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority
Communications for the Indiana Destination Development Corporation, travelers in Indiana spent $3.2 billion on food and beverage in 2015. And interestingly, 30% of U.S. travelers choose destinations based on activities related to local food and drink experiences (beer or wine festivals, farmers markets, farm-to-table experiences, and more). Communities have seized the popularity and all over the state you’ll find trails, events, and destinations centered around wine, beer, and spirits. In northwest Indiana there’s the South Shore Winery Trail with eight stops that allow you to experience new wines, meads, and ciders. There’s even a “South Shore Brew Bus” that takes groups on a tour of the area’s breweries and wineries. While in the area, check out Hunter’s Brewing, the first brewery in the town of Chesterton, who’s known for quirky special events like beer and donut pairings and flower arranging. In Carmel, their Brews and Barrels Trail has more than a dozen brewery and winery stops, including many that are independently owned. Indiana’s most extensive wine trail, the Indiana Grown Wine Trail, celebrates Indiana agriculture in every part of the state and includes nearly 50 wineries. They even offer a custom hardwood wine stopper for those completing the entire trail. For an extensive list of trails, visit indianawines.org.
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Downtown Indy 329 Mass. Ave. 317-636-7662
Carmel 111 W. Main St. 317-848-4488
Broad Ripple 811 E. Westfield Blvd. 317-255-5711 www.Bazbeaux.com
traveliN travel iN Spring 2022
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